Xenophobia in South Africa: Arrests made over xenophobic attacks in Durban

(Nigeria Moment). South Africa –

According to reported on April 10, by TimeFlyingBy, the South African police have arrested 17 people and opened murder cases after attacks on foreign nationals in Durban. The violence comes in the wake of alleged comments by the Zulu king telling migrants to go home – although the he says he was mistranslated. But Home Affairs Minister Malusi Gigaba has called on traditional leaders to stop making remarks that “could result in a loss of life”.

At least 62 people died in xenophobic attacks that swept the country in 2008. Following the alleged comments by King Goodwill Zwelithini at the end of March, 250 people have been attacked, mostly from the Democratic Republic of Congo, and foreign-owned shops have been looted in the port city of Durban. More than 1,000 mainly African migrants have fled their homes, some going to police stations and other are being housed in tents on a sports field.

South Africa’s Business Day newspaper reports that at least three people have been killed and that a Somali shopkeeper is in a critical condition. Police spokesperson Maj Thulani Zwane told the BBC that the police do not know exactly how many people have been killed, but that some were South African nationals and some were foreigners.

‘Ticking time bomb”
South African President Jacob Zuma’s son, Edward, has come out in support of the Zulu king’s alleged comments.